26th Annual New Jersey Jewish Film Festival Returns In March

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of JCC MetroWest. Find out how to post announcements or events to your local Patch site.

JCC MetroWest recently announced the return of the 26th annual Malvin G Greta Roesch New Jersey Jewish Film Festival (Roesch NJJFF), running Thursday, March 5 through Sunday, March 22, 2026, at the Maurice Levin Theater in West Orange.

For more than a quarter century, the Malvin C Greta Roesch New Jersey Jewish Film Festival has been a cultural touchstone for the region, bringing together audiences from across Essex, Morris, Union, and Bergen counties for award-winning films and thoughtful conversation. Each year, the festival engages thousands of filmgoers through screenings, filmmaker discussions, and special programs that explore Jewish life, history, identity, and universal human experiences.

The 2026 festival will feature a curated slate of acclaimed international and independent films, including dramas, comedies, and documentaries from Israel, Europe, Canada, and the United States. Many screenings will be accompanied by post-screening conversations with directors, writers, and guest speakers, offering audiences deeper insight into the stories on screen and the creative process behind them.

"There's something for everyone at this year's film festival, a collection of engaging, meaningful, and accessible films,” said Stuart Weinstock, Director of Film Programming at JCC MetroWest. “A few are coming to our community with buzz from other festivals, while others are going to be big, rewarding surprises for our audience. I can't wait to see these films again with our community.”

All screenings take place in the 350-seat Maurice Levin Theater, creating an intimate, shared viewing experience that has become a hallmark of the festival. With 16 events scheduled over 18 days, Roesch NJJFF continues to attract a loyal, engaged audience known for supporting arts and cultural programming throughout the region.

2026 Festival Highlights Include:

• Opening Film: The Floaters – the next classic summer camp comedy, steeped in Jewish identity, about misfits coming together to save their camp in a winner-take-all Maccabiah
• Closing Film: You Had to Be There… – a high-spirited documentary exploring how the 1972- 73 Toronto production of Godspell became ground zero for SNL, SCTV, and comedy as we know it, with a post-screening conversation with director Nick Davis.
• Award-Winning International Films from Israel, France, Canada, Germany, and the United States
• Filmmaker ǪGAs and Special Programs throughout the festival
• A diverse lineup spanning documentary, drama, and comedy, appealing to both dedicated film enthusiasts and casual moviegoers

Tickets and Information

Most festival films are $15 per ticket, with select special events priced at $18. Festival passes are $300, providing access to all films plus other benefits. All events take place at the Maurice Levin Theater at JCC MetroWest, located at 760 Northfield Avenue, West Orange, NJ.

Tickets, full schedule details, and updates are available at: jccmetrowest.org/roesch-njjff

Send local news tips and correction requests to eric.kiefer@patch.com. Learn more about advertising on Patch here.